manufacturing jobsare coming to southern Virginia. A company that builds cabinets isopening a plant in Charlotte County.WDBJ7's Tim Saunders was at today's announcement and joins us live from ourLynchburg Bedford Newsroom.Tim, what are economic leaders saying about these jobs? Jean, they believe the positions will puta huge dent in the county's high unemployment rate and provide jobs for workers in many other nearby communities.Even on a dark and dreary day, CharlotteCounty leaders can't help but have a sunny outlook.Susan Adams/DeputyCounty Administrator: "On word that defines it would be wow!"The Corsi Group, a company based in Indiana that makes cabinets, is opening a plant in Keysville. The operation willemploy 110 people. County leaders tell us the new positions will lead to a noticeable dip in theunemployment rate, which is currently around 8-percent.Adams: "I think it wil lower theunemployment rate by at least two percent. Region-wide the number may be lowered even more." Both Charlotte and nearby Campbell County have lost hundreds ofmanufacturing jobs in recent years. Dan River Incorporated employed 280 peopleat its Brookneal plant, before closing in 2006. Many of those workers are stillunemployed today, but could soon find relief with The CorsiGroup. Adams: "We drafrom a 60 mile radius to Charlotte County, so we'll be drawing from all of the counties around." The new jobs are the first major accomplishment of"Virginia's Growt Alliance," aeconomic development group that was formed tocreate jobs in rural parts of southernVirginia. Jeff Reed/Executive Director: "We arnow able to demonstrate to our 11 partners that this is able to happen." With access to U-Shighways and two interstates in theregion served by Virginia's Growth Alliance, leaders hope even more manufacturers willconsider locating in the area. Adams: "We laugand say we are that little black hole in Virginia. Now, maybe we aren't that black hole anymore.We're here to do business and we'rehere to put our people to work." Charlotte County beat out acommunity in Kentucky for these jobs.The Virginia TobaccoCommission is giving The Corsi Group 375-thousand dollarsas an incentive for locating in theCommonwealth. Live in the Lynchburg BedfordNewsroom, Tim Saunders, WDBJ7.A Roanoke landmark

KEYSVILLE, Va. -

A cabinet maker announced Tuesday that it will open an operation in Charlotte County, and create 110 new jobs.

“The addition of more than 100 new jobs is significant news for Charlotte County as it continues to rebound economically. As The Corsi Group expands its footprint and establishes its first East Coast manufacturing operation in Virginia, we celebrate a new corporate partner in a region that offers a robust, skilled workforce and improved cost competitiveness to the company’s expanding customer base,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “This new manufacturing operation will complement the existing industry base in Southern Virginia well, and we look forward to the mutual benefit and success for Charlotte County and Corsi.”

Here is the news release from Governor McAuliffe’s office:

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that The Corsi Group, a leading manufacturer of custom and semi-custom cabinetry, will invest approximately $5 million to establish its first Virginia manufacturing operation in Charlotte County. Virginia successfully competed against Kentucky for the project, which will create 110 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Speaking about today’s announcement in Keysville, Governor McAuliffe said, “The addition of more than 100 new jobs is significant news for Charlotte County as it continues to rebound economically. As The Corsi Group expands its footprint and establishes its first East Coast manufacturing operation in Virginia, we celebrate a new corporate partner in a region that offers a robust, skilled workforce and improved cost competitiveness to the company’s expanding customer base. This new manufacturing operation will complement the existing industry base in Southern Virginia well, and we look forward to the mutual benefit and success for Charlotte County and Corsi.”“We welcome The Corsi Group to Virginia and Charlotte County,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Advanced manufacturing is a thriving industry in the Commonwealth, and Corsi joins an impressive roster of manufacturers that have invested more than $13.7 billion in Virginia over the last 10 years. We are confident that the company will benefit from the business friendly environment in Charlotte County and the Southern Virginia region.”Headquartered in Indianapolis, The Corsi Group was founded in 1973 as a designer and manufacturer of custom cabinetry, and today has completed more than 50,000 projects.“We are confident in our choice of Charlotte County as our best for quality labor, a business-friendly governmental environment, and area supporting companies with whom we will work,” said Pat Corsi, Founder and Chairman and CEO of The Corsi Group. “We plan to continue our past practices of community involvement to add local value beyond the jobs we will be creating.”The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Charlotte County and Virginia’s Growth Alliance to help secure the project for Virginia.Governor McAuliffe approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Charlotte County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $375,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The company may be eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity will provide funding and services to support the company’s training activities."The Corsi Group's reputation precedes itself, and Charlotte County and its Industrial Development Authority are extremely appreciative of their decision to locate the company's third U.S. manufacturing facility to our County,” said Dr. Nancy Carwile, Chairman, Charlotte County Board of Supervisors. "We are excited and pleased with the faith they have shown in Charlotte County's workforce and the employment opportunities that Corsi will provide for our citizens. We look forward to working with the company."

"The Virginia Tobacco Commission is extremely proud to welcome the Corsi Group to Charlotte County, and we look forward to the many benefits that Corsi will provide the citizens through good jobs and their community involvement,” said Gary D. Walker, Commissioner, the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. “This announcement could not come at a better time for our people and the future of our county."

Charlotte County is one of nine jurisdictions that make-up Virginia’s Growth Alliance, a regional economic development agency.

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